Recommended Pubs and Restaurants in Belfast North

One of Irelands oldest bars still retaining a 17th. century feel with its vaulted ceilings, low whitewashed arches, old barrels and low counter. Basic bar food downstairs, but upstairs has more variety. A haunt of visitors from all over the world savouring the bustle of a pub little changed from 1720 when Henry Joy McCracken hid from the redcoats.

Named after Belfast Poet, John Hewitt, this is one of Belfasts newer pubs but with a real old fashioned style. Owned by The Belfast Unemployed Resource Centre. A high-ceilinged bar with wood & stone floor and panelled walls. Large front windows with low frosted glass screens and decorative lead window panels. There is a small snug lounge to the right. A mix of clientele and supporting the SPBW NI Ever changing selection of artwork. A mixture of music at night; some jazz but mostly trad Irish. Good food during the day, worth seeking out. It has increased the range of draught and bottled beers to include (as a regular) Hilden Ale in perfect condition.

The Northern WHig

2-10 Bridge Street
Belfast
BT1 1LU
(028) 9050 9888 (T)

Am open and airy multi level premise with a horse shoe bar and a nice Jameson Whiskey mirror to the rear. No relief from the typical and ubiquitous beers but it had an acceptable (if keg) beer from a local brewery and a range of spirits. Large front windows which really light up the front lounge. Cocktail bar upstairs. Good selection of food.

The Sunflower Bar

65 Union Street
Belfast
BT1 2JG
(028) 9023 2474 (T)

This used to be the old Tavern bar, famed for being about the last of the Belfast pubs to have a security gate at the front door, harking back to the 70s era. As such it had been the frontage for some films shot for that era. It has now been refurbished, still with the familiar exterior design, but still holding on to an old fashioned backstreet and unpretentious bar atmosphere, something sadly missing in the city.

The owner, Pedro, has been in the trade a long time and serves a great selection of bottled beers and has a cask ale pump on the counter. He supports the BFTW.

The bar has a tiled floor with half-height wood panelled walls and painted brick and a quirky barbers chair. The stairs, with 60s style pop-art painted walls and old wood floor, leads to the upstairs live music room complete with a a very unusual bar counter. It now has a large beer garden and its own outdoor pizza oven.

Originally DuBarrys, it is now a bit more upmarket but still into music. A three story building overlooking a sad Smithfield. Recently refurbished downstairs as yet another Peaky Blinders lookalike. Two floors upstairs for music and events. To the rear is the smoke area, which has been fully opened up as an alfresco lounge area, and is actually the old arcade taken over, giving a huge potential for parties, events, BBQs. There is a good selection of bottled beers and draught craft keg. The staff are knowledgeable and friendly and the food is great.